Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Does he or she begin the year going over basic skills, e.g. measurement, or do they begin the year with course topics? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class
My cooperating teacher, Mr. Breneau at North Kingston High School considers himself to be a "fair teacher." He spent the first week of school going over the classroom policies including attendance, homework, quiz and test policies with the students. The students are required to go over these policies with their parents and the parents must sign a form acknowledging this. In addition, they review all of the safety rules for lab and activites in the same shot. He hands out "Flinn's Scientific's Students Satefy Contract" which can be found on the website. Mr. Bruneau has also provided students with an overview of what to expect in the months ahead as far as projects, tests, and content topics.
His syllabus includes the topics broken down by quarter, the materials that must be brought to class every day including text books, homework notebook, 3 ring binder, seperate 1 page notebook for a biology journal that is kept in the classroom and a Good Attitude. It also includes the grading policy (20% homework, 20% quizes, 50% projects and tests, 10% bio journal) It also includes the homework policy which is checked at the beginning of each class and is graded on a 0-5 scale (0 being-less than 1/2 complete and beinging complete, labeled and neat).
The syllabus gives instructions on the biology journal assignments. Typically the frist 10-15 minutes of class is spent writing in the Biology journal. A question, problem or reaction is required and will be asked by the teacher. The journal is checked after every 5 entries. At the 5th entry, the students must pick one of their entries and tie it into the GSE's. A rubric is given out to the students to show them how they are being assessed.
As far as his classroom Rules.....
1. Be on time and prepared for class (All required materials present)
2. Respect your teacher, classmates and yourself (be police and do not interupt)
3. Ask questions
4. Be an active participant
5. Failure to follow rules results in: Warning, seat change, chat after class, stay after class, lunch detention, after school detention, call home, office detention
Reflections:
I first met Mr. Bruneau after school so we had a chance to talk and get to know eachother. My first observation was this past week. He taugh 3 classes (2 90 minute classes and 1 45 minutes class). The 90 minutes classes were spent doing a microscope lab and the the 45 minute class was a science controversy class where they engaged in a jigsaw about Rosyln Franklin vs. Watson & Crick. I have to say that Mr. Bruneau cleary explained the objectives of the lesson for the 1st 5 minutes of class and then the students started completing their activity. They were self-sufficient and very well behaved. I feel fortunate and hope this behavior will keep up. . I spent the time going around to each student, introducing myself, learning names, getting to know each of them as much as possible. I know it was only one visit but I think I will be fortunate to teach under Mr. Bruneau and his students. Mr. Bruneau could be considered "green" in other's eyes as he completed his certification at URI only four years ago, however, from what I witnessed so far, he has a great handle on his students and their needs. He brings a positive energy to the classroom and has many tricks up his sleeves anxious to share. I know that I will learn a great deal in the next year ahead.
My cooperating teacher, Mr. Breneau at North Kingston High School considers himself to be a "fair teacher." He spent the first week of school going over the classroom policies including attendance, homework, quiz and test policies with the students. The students are required to go over these policies with their parents and the parents must sign a form acknowledging this. In addition, they review all of the safety rules for lab and activites in the same shot. He hands out "Flinn's Scientific's Students Satefy Contract" which can be found on the website. Mr. Bruneau has also provided students with an overview of what to expect in the months ahead as far as projects, tests, and content topics.
His syllabus includes the topics broken down by quarter, the materials that must be brought to class every day including text books, homework notebook, 3 ring binder, seperate 1 page notebook for a biology journal that is kept in the classroom and a Good Attitude. It also includes the grading policy (20% homework, 20% quizes, 50% projects and tests, 10% bio journal) It also includes the homework policy which is checked at the beginning of each class and is graded on a 0-5 scale (0 being-less than 1/2 complete and beinging complete, labeled and neat).
The syllabus gives instructions on the biology journal assignments. Typically the frist 10-15 minutes of class is spent writing in the Biology journal. A question, problem or reaction is required and will be asked by the teacher. The journal is checked after every 5 entries. At the 5th entry, the students must pick one of their entries and tie it into the GSE's. A rubric is given out to the students to show them how they are being assessed.
As far as his classroom Rules.....
1. Be on time and prepared for class (All required materials present)
2. Respect your teacher, classmates and yourself (be police and do not interupt)
3. Ask questions
4. Be an active participant
5. Failure to follow rules results in: Warning, seat change, chat after class, stay after class, lunch detention, after school detention, call home, office detention
Reflections:
I first met Mr. Bruneau after school so we had a chance to talk and get to know eachother. My first observation was this past week. He taugh 3 classes (2 90 minute classes and 1 45 minutes class). The 90 minutes classes were spent doing a microscope lab and the the 45 minute class was a science controversy class where they engaged in a jigsaw about Rosyln Franklin vs. Watson & Crick. I have to say that Mr. Bruneau cleary explained the objectives of the lesson for the 1st 5 minutes of class and then the students started completing their activity. They were self-sufficient and very well behaved. I feel fortunate and hope this behavior will keep up. . I spent the time going around to each student, introducing myself, learning names, getting to know each of them as much as possible. I know it was only one visit but I think I will be fortunate to teach under Mr. Bruneau and his students. Mr. Bruneau could be considered "green" in other's eyes as he completed his certification at URI only four years ago, however, from what I witnessed so far, he has a great handle on his students and their needs. He brings a positive energy to the classroom and has many tricks up his sleeves anxious to share. I know that I will learn a great deal in the next year ahead.